Gait Training for Persons With Stroke

The Lokomat Gait Orthosis Compared to Categorized Gait Training by Physical Therapists in Patients Early Post Stroke

The objective of this study is to investigate the effects of an automatic gait trainer (Lokomat) handled by physical therapists compared with categorized gait training by physical therapists in ambulatory stroke patients. Gait speed, gait distance and gait symmetry are used to evaluate study effects.

Hypotheses: 1) The Lokomat improves stroke patients gait speed, distance and symmetry more than categorized gait training.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. First time Stroke
2. Middle cerebral artery infarction
3. Less than three month from stroke onset
4. Able to walk with or without a stick at gait speed less than 0.5 m/s
5. Participants are able to cope with the Lokomat

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Co-morbidity which impedes study participations
2. Language deficits which makes it impossible to understand oral or written study instructions
3. More than 190 cm tall and 135 kg in weight
4. Pregnancy
5. No gait function prior stroke
6. Skin sore or eruption on lower extremity or trunk, differences in lower extremity length of more than 2 cm or contracture of lower extremity which impedes gait training in the Lokomat -